Introduction Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many higher education and health centers have faced challenges. Educational leaders have tried to manage the new situation, but the human infrastructure was not ready for such an event. This study aims to explain the challenges and opportunities of the COVID-19 pandemic for medical education. Method This qualitative study used conventional content analysis to collect data from face-to-face and semi-structured interviews. The interviews continued until data saturation was reached. The participants were 12 students and 14 faculty members at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. To ensure data rigor, we used member checks, peer checks and an external observer. Results Three main categories and 15 subcategories were extracted. The findings showed that four subcategories, e.g. perception on feasibility of e-learning, standardizing of e-learning, dedicated teaching, and networking and interdisciplinary collaborations, affected the development of medical e-learning. The main opportunities from the COVID-19 pandemic for medical education were classified into five subcategories: attitudes to e-learning and adaptability, preventing students’ separation from the educational environment, documentation and monitoring education, take control of own learning, and increasing perceived usefulness. The main challenges were divided into four subcategories, e.g. noncompliance with virtual classroom etiquette, inadequate interactions, time limitations, and infrastructure defects and problems. Finally, participants believed that methods of evaluation in e-learning were more suitable for diagnosis and formative evaluations. Generally, two subcategories were extracted, e.g. formative and summative. Conclusion Medical schools have necessarily moved towards e-learning to compensate for the interruption in classroom education, such that traditional classes have been replaced with e-learning. These rapid, extensive changes in teaching and learning approaches have consequences for medical schools.

BackgroundMany patients experience anxiety and depression after cardiac bypass surgery.The aim of this study was to examine the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on anxiety and depression in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in southern Iran.MethodsFor this randomized controlled trial, 80 patients who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and randomly assigned to case and control groups. Anxiety was measured with the Spielberger Anxiety Scale and depression was measured using Beck’s Depression Inventory at three points in time: on discharge from the hospital, immediately after the intervention, and 2 months after cardiac rehabilitation. After measuring anxiety and depression in both groups upon discharge, the experimental group participated in 8 cardiac rehabilitation sessions over a 4-week period. The control group received only the routine follow-up care.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in depression scores between groups at all three time-points (Mean score from 19.6 to 10 in the intervention group and from 19.5 to 14 in the control group, P = 0.0014). However, no significant difference was seen in anxiety scores between the groups (Mean score from 37 to 28 in the intervention group and from 38 to 32 in the control group, P = 0.079).ConclusionsCardiac rehabilitation was effective in reducing depression 2 months after surgery in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.Trial registrationIRCTN201203262812N8

Background: hyperlipidemia as a major risk factor of atherosclerosis is treated with different drugs. Concerning length of therapy and vast majority of side effects, herbal medication may be suitable substitute for these drugs.

Background:This study aimed to compare the effects of combined endurance-resistance training (CT) versus endurance training (ET) on some cardiovascular markers in patients with heart failure after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Materials and Methods:The study applied a randomized, controlled design in which 75 patients with heart failure who had undergone PCI were randomly assigned to one of three groups: ET, CT, and control. The ET group performed ET for 45 min, three times a week for 7 weeks. The CT group performed the same ET for 30 min followed by a resistance exercise protocol. The control group received usual care. Functional capacity, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured.Results:After the intervention, functional capacity was improved (P < 0.001) and NT-pro BNP level was significantly reduced (P = 0.004 in the CT group, P = 0.002 in the ET group). Hs-CRP level was significantly reduced only in the ET group (P = 0.030). The control group showed no significant changes in any cardiovascular parameters (P ≥ 0.05). Changes in functional capacity (P < 0.001) in both training groups were significantly different from the control group. No significant differences were found between the ET and CT groups regarding changes in all outcomes after exercise training (P ≥ 0.05).Conclusion:Exercise training is safe and feasible in post-PCI patients, even in those with reduced ejection fraction. CT was as effective as ET in reducing NT-pro BNP level and improving functional capacity in heart failure patients after PCI.

Introduction: Cardiac dysfunction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Previous studies have shown that kidney transplantation can reverse some of the gross changes in the myocardial structure such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and volumes. Whether kidney transplantation can reverse the subtle and early myocardial changes in ESRD patients who do not suffer from gross alternations in myocardial function is not yet studied. The aim of this study was to answer this question. Methods: We followed 25 patients with ESRD at baseline that all of them had a kidney transplant and were reassessed 1 month after the transplantation. Conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE)was done at baseline and 1 month after kidney transplantation in patients. Results: LV hypertrophy was the most prevalent finding at baseline (58%), followed by diastolic dysfunction (53%). Kidney transplantation significantly improved the ejection fraction (EF) (treatment effect = 4.23 ± 2.06%; P = 0.046) and apical 4-chamber strain (treatment effect = -0.89 ± 0.37%; P = 0.021) in the patients. It also reduced the LV mass index (treatment effect = -73.82 ± 11.6; P < 0.001) and relative wall thickness (treatment effect = -0.056±0.023; P = 0.021). Other variables including global longitudinal strain and diastolic dysfunction were not improved significantly. Conclusion: STE may show early improvements in myocardial function 1 month after renal transplantation.